Exhibition
Artūras Šimonis
City of Sad Children
About this event
On Friday, June 26, at 6:00 PM, the LDS gallery "Arka" invites you to the opening of scenographer Artūras Šimonis' exhibition "City of Sad Children". The event will include a presentation and a tour of three new exhibitions opening at the gallery.
Artūras Šimonis' works are no strangers to the LDS gallery "Arka": a few years ago, while participating in the scenography exhibition "Navigation", he appeared as an artist who sensitively bridges the fields of theater and independent creation. At that time, as in this exhibition, his exceptional abilities as a draftsman, painter, and scenographer, who delves into themes of identity and masculinity, were revealed. Presenting his exhibition, the author confesses:
"The main circle of the exhibition's themes is directed towards the crisis of contemporary fragile masculinity, the identity of the 'inner child', psychological and emotional traumas, reflections, and experiences of the external environment. These and other aspects of themes and issues are attempted to be opened up in the exhibition through the expressive means of scenographic representation. The technical task of the exposition is the transmission of an imagined reality, a world of imagination, and a recreated stage design in a social context, utilizing installation compositions, various objects, theater props, and other means of expression. The exhibition aims for the viewer to be able to create a subjective space of imagination through their personal experience and traumas, contemplatively engaging in the overall narrative of the created imagination."
Artist Artūras Šimonis is one of the most productive Lithuanian scenographers, whose work is not limited to the theater stage. He actively participates in various festivals and exhibitions, designs events, and, like many collective art artists, unleashes his creative ideas in painting. He has repeatedly tested independent creation in the theater as well, checking the boundaries of a theater artist: he chose plays himself, directed, created stage designs, costumes, and lighting, and applied computer technologies. His talent has been repeatedly noticed and appreciated with "Golden Stage Cross" nominations (2014, 2015, 2024) and an award (2007), he has won "Fortūna" prizes (2014, 2017, 2024) and diplomas from theater festivals (2010, 2013, 2017, 2017, 2021, 2023).
Dr. Raimonda Bitinaitė-Širvinskienė
The exhibition is part of the creative program of the "Arka" gallery and the Lithuanian Artists' Association. The organization's activities are funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.
Exhibition partners: Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Kaunas State Puppet Theatre.
